The need to strengthen the attack
FC Barcelona is actively looking for a new striker to strengthen the team for next season. Despite Robert Lewandowski’s good moments, the team has proven to have problems in the attacking line and cannot rely solely on the Pole to score goals.
The other forward players, such as Joao Félix, Ferran Torres and Raphinha, have not performed consistently and failed to maintain regularity. Therefore, the club has decided to look for a forward who can play on the left and bring more depth to the attack.
Rafael Leao, the perfect candidate
One of the names that has emerged as the perfect candidate to strengthen Barça’s attack is Rafael Leao, currently an AC Milan player. At only 24 years old, Leao is considered one of the great promises of European football and has stood out for his performances at the Italian club.
With 52 goals and 44 assists this season, Leao has proven to be a striker of the era and would be a great addition for Barça. However, the €175 million buyout clause makes the signing difficult for a club that is still recovering financially.
Complicated negotiations
Negotiations to sign Leao have been complicated by his high release clause. The player’s representative, Jorge Mendes, has a good relationship with Barça president Joan Laporta, but the club will have to find a way to overcome this financial obstacle.
In addition, other clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the Portuguese player, but the latest reports indicate that they have lost interest in him. This could open the door for other teams, such as Chelsea, who are looking for a replacement for Raheem Sterling.
The possible exchange with Chelsea
Chelsea are ready to let Raheem Sterling go as the player has failed to live up to expectations at the club. This could open up the possibility of a swap between Sterling and Leao, which would be beneficial for both clubs.
But Milan will not make it easy to sell their star and Barça will have to make a great effort to convince them. Negotiations are ongoing and there is still no final decision on Leao’s future.